Fluid seal



March 22 1966 v. PEICKH 3,241,846

FLUID SEAL Original Filed April 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 22, 1966v c 1 3,241,846

FLUID SEAL Original Filed April 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet z United StatesPatent C) 3,241,846 FLUID SEAL Vasalie L. Peickii, Hillsborough, Calif.,assignor to Federal-Mogul Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation ofMichigan Continuation of application Ser. No. 72,609, Nov. 30, 1960,which is a continuation of application Ser. No.

575,659, Apr. 2, 1956. This application May 14, 1964, Ser. No. 367,523

14 Claims. (Cl. 277-235) This application is a continuation ofapplication Serial No. 72,609 filed November 30, 1960, now abandoned,which is a continuation of application, Serial No. 575,659, filed April2, 1956, naw abandoned.

This invention relates to an improved fluid seal and particularly to onefor use with ball bearings and the like. It also relates to a ballbearing assembly incorporating a novel type of lubricant sealing member.

One object of the present invention is to solve the problem of sealinglubricant within a ball bearing assembly and sealing against the entryof dust and dirt thereinto, without altering the spacing between thebearing members. Heretofore, the installation of a sealing member in theball bearing assembly has tended to change the spacing between the innerand outer races of the bearing, because the outer periphery of the rigidmetal reinforcing member that supports the resilient sealing lip hasnormally been used to locate the seal in the hearing. The presentinvention solves this problem by providing a seal having a rubber outerperiphery that locks the seal into position without affecting thespacing between the bearing races. At the same time, a tighter seal isobtained due to the gasketing action of the rubber outer peripherybetween the outer bearing race and the metal reinforcing member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wafertype seal for ballbearings and other installations, which is easily installed, inexpensiveto manufacture, and which when installed will retain its position.

Another object is to provide a dished wafer-type seal that isstraightened, cocked or undished when installed, therby setting up anovel gasketing action at one periphery and the desired shaftinterference at the other periphery.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a ballbearing assemblyincluding means for locking thereinto a fluid-sealing member, and toprovide a fluid-sealing member adapted to be maintained by locking meansin a ball bearing assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof presented inaccordance with 35 USC In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a fluid seal embodying the principlesof the present invention, with part of the seal broken away and shown insection;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation and in section showing the seal of FIG. 1about to be locked into a ball bearing assembly with the aid of aspecial seal-installation tool;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the installation tool moved into force the seal into its locked position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing a complete ballbearing assembly with a pair of seals installed according to thisinvention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 on a smaller scale, of a modifiedform of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation and in section showing the seal of FIG. 6in its installed position.

Before installation, the seal 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 comprises a rubbersealing element 11 bonded to a dished metal ring 12 and extending beyondit on both the inner and outer periphery. The dished metal ring 12 ispreferably formed from relatively soft metal, such as drawing steel, anddefinitely not from spring steel. A flat ring is initially stamped outfrom a fiat sheet, with its outer periphery 13 initially out to itsfinal size. The ring is then dished to an angle of approximately 30degrees, preferably within about plus or minus 5 degrees, resulting inthe shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The soft metal will retain that shapewithout springing back, since some metal flows during the formingoperation. Then the inner pierce 14 is cut to the exact size desired,which depends on the size of the inner race, shaft, or other innercylindrical element with which the seal 10 is to be used. Since theinner pierce 14 is made after the dishing operation, the peripheral edgeis axial relative to the dished ring 12 and oblique relative to theouter periphery 13 and the conical side faces 15 and 16 (the face 15being the inner conical side and the face 16 the outer side).

Preferably, the rubber element 11 is molded directly on the ring 12 toprovide an extended conical portion 20 bonded along one face 21 to thering face 16 and a lip portion 22 extending radially inwardly beyond thepierce 14 and terminating in an inner periphery 23. The length of thelip portion 22 is proportioned to provide the proper shaft interferencefor the installed seal. An outer peripheral portion 24 of the rubberelement 11 extends out beyond the peripheral edge 13 of the ring 12 andpreferably terminates at an angle in an outer periphery 25 that liesapproximately at 11 degrees with respect to the axis of the dished ring12 and the pierce 14. The portion 24 lies beyond, covers, and is bondedto the edge 13 along its face 26.

During molding, the ring 12 may be held in position by its innerperiphery or pierce 14, but a small amount of clearance, preferablyaround .003 is permitted to result in a narrow portion 27 bonded to andcovering the inner periphery 14, to increase the bond securing themembers 11 and 12 together.

In the seal 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the rubber portion 20 is thickerat its outer extremity than at its inner extremity. In fact, the radialfaces 21 and 28 are inclined to each other at an angle of about 4degrees. This is not always necessary, but it is advisable where aclearance of the installed seal is so specified, as in FIG. 5, that themetal member 12, when installed, necessarily has to be inclinedconically at about 4 degrees. In other words, it is always advisable tohave the outer face 28 of the seal 10 vertical; it gives a betterappearance and discourages tampering, while an inclined outer face lookswrong and often results in ignorant meddling. In other words, where themetal ring 12 must lie at an angle after installation, the outer face 28may make up the difference in angle and lie fiat except at the sealinglip 22.

The seal 30 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is substantially identical to theseal of FIGS. l-S with the exception that the four faces concerned, 15',16', 21' and 28 are all parallel. This seal 30 is preferred forinstallation where there is enough clearance space for the :seal ring 12and rubber ring 11 to lie perpendicular to the inner race 31, which isengaged by the lip 22. The outer race 32 and ball 33 are similar totheir corresponding members in FIGS. 3-5, but the ball 33 is spacedfarther from the seal 30.

The seal 10 may be installed in a ball bearing assembly 40 between aninner race 41 and an outer race 4-2, between which lie a plurality ofballs 43. The outer race 42 is preferably provided with a rounded groove44 between a peripheral ledge 45 and a step or inclined shoulder 46, butother provisions may be made for different purposes.

Since the sealing member is dished as supplied, its rubber outerperipheral portion 24 fits very loosely in the groove 44 and the lipportion 22 does not engage the shaft, as FIG. 3 shows. Therefore, aninstallation tool 50 is brought to bear against the face 28 of the seal10. The tool 50 is preferably provided with a central cylindricalportion 51 and an outer annular portion 52 with an annular groove 53 inbetween. The central portion 51 fits inside the inner race 41; thegroove 53 is deep enough to avoid contact at all times of the end 54with the inner race 30, and the annular rim portion 52 is provided withan inner peripheral face 55 opposite a radial face 56 of the outer race41 and to bear on the rubber element 11 directly opposite the metal ring12. As the tool 50 is brought in toward the ball hearing assembly 40 itpushes the seal 10 inwardly until stopped by engagement of the faces 55and 56 in the position shown in FIG. 4. This stop prevents injury to theseal 10 upon installation. The seal 10 may then be pushed to or slightlybeyond its final FIG. 5 position, which it assumes after withdrawal ofthe tool.

When the tool 50 is withdrawn (FIG. 5), the rubber periphery has beenforced into the groove 44, and it will remain there; the steel of thering 12 being soft it will also remain in the position shown in FIG. 5.The outer periphery 13 of the ring 12 has necessarily been forcedoutwardly, giving a very tight sealing of the rubber portion 24,gasketing it against the outer race 42. At the same time, the sealinglip 22 is in the proper sealing engagement with the inner race 41. Inthe instance of the seal 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the metal member 12is inclined, as shown in FIG. 5, while the outer face 28 of the rubbermember 11 is vertical. In the instance of the seal shown in FIGS. 6 and7, both the metal member 12' and the rubber member 11' are vertical andparallel. In either event, the inner lip portion 22 or 22' of the waferseals around the shaft or inner race 41 or 31, its radial width havingbeen increased by the straightening or undishing operation, and itassumes substantially the curve shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, so as to givethe proper shaft interference and obtain a good sealing action withoutsubstantially increasing the shaft torque.

It will be noted from the drawings that the simplicity of the inventionmakes its production very inexpensive. Metal members 12 about .030" to.050" thick are preferable and the rubber radial portion 11 ispreferably about the same thickness. The amount of rubber in the outerperipheral portion 24 is calculated to provide the proper locking for avery tight seal at this point.

The seals 10 and 30 are not adapted to be removed intact; if they mustbe removed it is advisable to install new previously undistorted sealsof the same type again uslng the same type of installation tool 50.However, the tool will normally be used in the bearing manufacturersfactory, rather than on the job, so that it can be operated by machinemethods.

While two forms of the invention have been described in some detail andhave been illustrated in the drawing, it is not intended to excludeother modifications which lie within the spirit of the invention asdefined in the claims below. To those skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates, many additional changes will suggest themselves whichwill not depart from the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A fluid seal comprising a thin dished ring of soft metal, havingparallel conical side faces, one outer and one inner, an outer peripheryand an inner periphery; and an annular rubber member bonded to saidinner and outer peripheries and to said outer face and extendingsubstantially parallel to said face and radially inwardly therebeyond toprovide a sealing lip portion and radially outwardly therebeyond toprovide an outer peripheral portion that serves as a gasket andretaining means when 4 said seal is installed, said seal being adaptedto be straightened into a generally radial plane, said sealing lipportion being adapted for flexure upon engagement with a concentricmember to be sealed.

2. The seal of claim 1, wherein said ring is dished at approximately 30degrees.

3. The seal of claim 1 wherein the outer periphery of said rubber memberlies, before installation, at an angle of about 11 relative to the axisof said dished ring.

4. The seal of claim 1 wherein said rubber member has an outer faceparallel to the face bonded to said rings outer face.

5. The seal of claim 1 wherein said rubber member has an outer faceinclined relative to the face bonded to said rings outer face.

6. The seal of claim 5 wherein the inclination is about 4 outwardly inthe radially outward direction.

7. A fluid seal comprising a thin ring of soft metal dished atapproximately 30, having parallel conical side faces, one outer and oneinner, an outer periphery cut off substantially perpendicularly to itsparallel faces, and an inner periphery cut off approximately parallel tothe axis of said dished ring; and a rubber member bonded to said innerand outer peripheries and to said outer face and extending substantiallyparallel to said face and radially inwardly therebeyond to provide asealing lip portion and radially outwardly therebeyond to provide anouter peripheral portion that serves as a gasket and retaining meanswhen said seal is installed, said seal being adapted when installed tobe substantially undished into a generally radial plane, said sealinglip portion being adapted to flexure upon engagement with a concentricmember to be sealed.

8. A fluid seal comprising a ring of drawing metal about 0.030" to0.050" in thickness, dished at 30 plus or minus about 5", havingparallel conical side faces, one outer and one inner, an outer peripherycut off substantially perpendicularly to its parallel faces, and aninner periphery cut off approximately parallel to the axis of said ring;and an annular rubber member bonded to said outer face and extendingsubstantially parallel to said face and radially inwardly therebeyond asubstantial distance to provide a sealing lip portion, said rubbermember also having a very thin axial portion bonded to said ring innerperiphery, and a thicker portion bonded to said outer periphery andextending radially outwardly therebeyond to provide an outer peripheralportion that serves as a gasket and retaining means when said seal isinstalled, said seal being adapted upon installation to be substantiallyundished into a generally radial plane, said sealing lip portion beingadapted for flexure upon engagement with a concentric member to besealed.

9. A fluid seal comprising a thin dished ring of soft metal havingparallel conical side faces, one outer and one inner, an outer peripheryand an inner periphery; and an elastomeric material bonded to said innerand outer peripheries and to said outer face and extending substantiallyparallel to said face and radially inwardly therebeyond to provide asealing lip portion and radially outwardly therebeyond to provide anouter peripheral portion that serves as a gasket and retaining meanswhen said seal is installed, said seal being adapted to be straightenedinto a generally radial plane, said sealing lip portion being adaptedfor flexure upon engagement with a concentric member to be sealed.

10. The seal of claim 9 wherein the outer periphery of said rubbermember lies, before installation, at an angle of about 11 relative tothe axis of said dished ring.

11. The seal of claim 9 wherein said rubber member has an outer faceparallel to the face bonded to said rings outer face.

12. The seal of claim 9 wherein said rubber member has an ut ce n linedrelative to the face bonded to s id .ri gs o ter f ce.

5 6 13. The seal of claim 12 wherein the inclination is 2,704,676 3/1955Harding 285340 about 4 outwardly in the radially outward direction.2,734,757 2/ 1956 Martin 27794 14. The seal of claim 9 wherein said ringis dished at 2,764,433 9/1956 Cobb 27794 approximately 30 degrees.2,884,100 4/ 1959 McKee 277-235 References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGNPATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 507,620 12/1951 Belgium.

1,888,361 11/1932 Robinson 277237 1 2,467,049 4/1949 Peterson 277 94LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Przmary Exammer. 2,509,151 5/1950 Kasten 277-235EDWARD v. BENHAM, LEWIS J. LENNY, Examiners.

1. A FLUID SEAL COMPRISING A THIN DISHED RING OF SOFT METAL, HAVINGPARALLEL CONICAL SIDE FACES, ONE OUTER AND ONE INNER, AN OUTER PERIPHERYAND AN INNER PERIPHERY; AND AN ANNULAR RUBBER MEMBER BONDED TO SAIDINNER AND OUTER PERIPHERIES AND TO SAID OUTER FACE AND EXTENDINGSUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID FACE AND RADIALLY INWARDLY THEREBEYOND TOPROVIDE A SEALING LIP PORTION AND RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREBEYOND TOPROVIDE AN OUTER PERIPHERAL